Teenage drug-driver damaged police car in Sheffield chase

Chris Burn

A teenage drug-driver crashed into a police car during a dramatic early-morning chase around Sheffield after going the wrong way round a roundabout, speeding through red lights and mounting the pavement.

Jack Yeardley, who now works for a garage, went twice the speed limit during a chase covering around two miles in the City Road, Manor Top and Gleadless areas on June 6 last year at about 5.45am.

Yeardley, aged 18 at the time and now 19, was seen driving erratically in a Toyota Starlet containing three other men.

Sheffield Crown Court heard Yeardley, of Bubwith Road, Wincobank, failed to stop for officers and attempted to get away from them. He was recorded going at 60mph on East Bank Road, which has a 30mph limit,

He went around a roundabout in the wrong direction and went through two sets of red traffic lights - on one City Road where other drivers had to swerve out of his way to avoid a collision.

Yeardley then mounted a pavement with two wheels and drove along it during the pursuit. Yeardley hit a police car, damaging it. Police officers used a ‘Stop-Stick’ tyre deflation device to try and stop his vehicle which failed to work immediately before Yeardley eventually gave up the escape attempt.

Tests revealed he had traces of drugs in his blood.

While out on bail, Yeardley was involved in criminal offences relating to a burglary on Anns Road, Heeley on September 14 where items including electrical items and musical instruments were stolen, along with a van parked outside.

The van was later found crashed into a lamppost with the stolen items inside.

Yeardley pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and taking without consent on the basis he had been a passenger in the van after it was stolen rather than a direct participant in the burglary. Yeardley was sentenced to 15 months in prison suspended for two years and 180 hours of community service. He will also be disqualified from driving for 12 months after he admitted dangerous driving.